Exams can be an overwhelming time for students especially if they’ve been struggling throughout the semester. You may not know where to start or how to prepare yourself for the BIG test so here are some tips to help you break things down one step at a time.

Plan ahead – While some people perform well under ‘last-minute’ pressure, most people do not. Sit down, review the exams you have, the dates you write them, and then set aside some days to study for each. Make sure to consider each subject and exam carefully. You may need to give more time to some subject(s) than others.

Organize your space – Make sure you have enough space to spread out your textbooks, notes and tests. Get all the supplies you need (extra paper, pens/pencils, timer, etc) and a comfortable chair. Also, turn your phone off (I know that’s a hard step) and get rid of all other distractions. Do you need silence or do you do better with background music? Take the time to consider what type of study space works best for YOU.

Brainstorm, make visual aids, and review old tests – Before you even start studying, take a minute to brainstorm everything you have learned in that course this semester. You can jot the points down or make a flowchart on a scrap paper. Then review and see where the gaps are in your learning and start your studying from there. Peruse old tests and notes looking for keywords and concepts. If you are a visual learner (like me), then you may want to create study sheets using visual graphs. Closer to the exam, try to condense your study sheets down to one or two pages so it’s easier for you to recall everything you’ll need to know. It’s also a great idea to prepare for the exam by practicing questions from past tests. This helps you get used to the format of the questions to expect and, if you time yourself, help you know how much time to spend of each type of question.

Participate in study groups with fellow classmates – You may have questions and they also may have questions so arrange some time to teach each other. Explaining and/or having it explained to you will help deepen everyone’s understanding of the material. Note: This option doesn’t work for all students. As long as you can agree to stay focused and work together for a set amount of time, this can be a very effective tool.

Take regular breaks – It is counterproductive to study for hours without breaks. Schedule regular breaks beforehand and, when you get stuck or frustrated, grab a snack or go for a walk. Stepping away for even just 5 minutes helps you relax and retain things better when you return to studying.

Don’t forget to eat and drink plenty of water – Studying for exams consumes your time so it can be challenging to remember to eat, let alone cook. However, studying also requires a LOT of mental energy so it’s important that you pump yourself with ‘brain food’ and stay away from sugar. You may have heard this tip and dismissed it before, but if you substitute your sugary snacks for nuts, peanut butter, eggs and vegetables and fruits (avocadoes, berries, bananas, apples) you will notice a significant improvement in your energy level. Trust me!

Drink plenty of water before and on exam day – Keep your body and brain hydrated by drinking lots of water while you’re studying and especially on exam day. If you’re not a fan of the taste of regular water, try spicing it up with rosemary or mint to keep it interesting.

Be ready for exam day – Review the rules and requirements for the exam and pack your bag with everything you need well in advance. Don’t leave it until the day of because that will only create unnecessary stress for you.

However you may prepare yourself for upcoming exams, just try to stay positive and do your best.Good luck!